About the Howard County LEPC

The purpose of the Howard County LEPC is to enhance Howard County’s preparedness and response to hazardous materials incidents by involving the government, private business, non-profit organizations and citizens in planning and preparing for such an incident. The Howard County LEPC will also act as an advisory committee to the Howard County Government in regards to emergency preparedness and response for hazardous materials and will fulfill any and all additional requirements articulated under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). The EPCRA was enacted by Congress in 1986 Congress to ensure that government and the public had access to the information needed to plan for chemical emergencies. EPCRA required each state to establish a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), to create local emergency planning districts, and to establish an LEPC in each district. In addition to fulfilling its role with respect to hazardous chemicals, the Howard County LEPC has expanded its scope to include preparedness for all hazards and all communities.

LEPC general meetings are open to all members of the public, the private sector, and government agencies who are interested in emergency preparedness. Participants include representatives of neighborhood associations, health care organizations, public safety agencies, schools; and other non-profit organizations, large and small businesses, and government agencies.

LEPC general meetings are typically held quarterly. Each LEPC general meeting features speakers who present on topics of interest to the preparedness community in addition to Howard County government updates related to emergency management and preparedness. These meetings are free and open to the public. We encourage all interested community members to attend!

The 4th quarter LEPC meeting will be held on Nov 15th.

2018 has been another year wrought with natural disasters. Unfortunately, Howard County has seen these devastating effects yet again, along with other jurisdictions across the nation and overseas. While we wish we could avoid them all together, it is true that disasters often bring out the best in humanity. 41% of charitable givers donate in response to natural disasters. Whether you’re donating money or volunteering your time to help a friend, neighbor, or stranger, you are participating in disaster giving.

Beverly White-Seals, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County, is joining us at November’s LEPC to discuss one component of disaster giving: financial donations management. She will discuss the role the Community Foundation played during the 2016 Flood, the community's response in 2016, and the changes made to address those challenges following the 2018 Flood. In addition, she will explain the importance of financial donations following disasters and will be asking for feedback on the Community Foundation’s response to the 2018 Flood to make continual improvements.

Coffee, light breakfast fare, and networking will begin at 9:30 am. The presentation will begin at 10:00 am.

January 2016 LEPC Meeting - Due to a winter storm that caused Howard County government closure, and an Emergency Operations Center activation, the Howard County LEPC meeting scheduled for January 27 had to be cancelled.